Town of Halton Hills Recreation & Parks. AQUATIC Parent Guide

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1 Town of Halton Hills Recreation & Parks AQUATIC Parent Guide

2 Dear Parents and Guardians Welcome to the Town of Halton Hills Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Program. We look forward to providing you with quality swimming instruction and to developing a lifelong water smart attitude in your child. This parent guide will help us provide you with a positive aquatic experience for your child! Please take the time to review the guide and keep it readily available throughout the session as an information resource. Our programs are designed to be age appropriate, safe and fun! To ensure that the programs are of the highest quality, we incorporate the HIGH FIVE Principles of Healthy Child Development into all program design. Our staff have been carefully selected based on their skills, qualifications and commitment to aquatics. We see parents as partners and welcome your questions, suggestions and comments. Introduce yourself to the Assistant Coordinator at the pool or feel free to give us a call should you have any questions. Jennifer Kavanagh Recreation Coordinator, Aquatics , ext jenniferk@haltonhills.ca Melissa Willson Recreation Coordinator, Aquatics , ext mwillson@haltonhills.ca Heather Morris-Stokes Recreation Supervisor, Aquatics , ext heatherms@haltonhills.ca 02/18 2

3 Table of Contents COMMITTED TO QUALITY!...4 YOUR CHILD S INSTRUCTOR Staff Qualifications...5 Senior Staff Contacts....5 SWIM FOR LIFE PROGRAM Purpose...5 Benefits....6 Supervision Ratios Private and Semi-Private Lessons... 6 Family Swimming Lessons HHLC...6 Inclement Weather...6 PARENTS AS PARTNERS Parent Involvement....7 Rewards...7 Lost and Found....8 ENSURING POSITIVE EXPERIENCES Evaluation of your Child Answering your Questions Tot Dock Information Pool Regulations...10 Medical Conditions...10 Special Needs...11 Rec Partner Pass...11 Volunteers RECREATIONAL SWIMMING Pool Locations...12 Admission Requirements Passes BIRTHDAY POOL PARTIES...13 PHOTOTAKING RESTRICTIONS...14 BACKYARD POOL OWNERS

4 We re Committed to Quality! We believe that recreational programs and sports provide your child with the opportunity for healthy growth and development. To ensure the programs are of the highest quality, we incorporate the HIGH FIVE principles of healthy child development into all program designs. Principles of Healthy Child Development A Caring Adult: Acts as a positive role model and allows the children to feel comfortable to challenge themselves HIGH FIVE is a program of Parks and Recreation Ontario. As an accredited member of the HIGH FIVE Quality Assurance Program, the Town of Halton Hills is committed to providing children s programs that are grounded in the Principles of Healthy Child Development. Play: Encourages creativity, cooperation, and fun! Friends: Create a safe environment where children can learn to be part of a team, and feel welcome to discuss their feelings, learn new skills, and work out conflicts Participation: Involves children in the planning and implementation of activities, helping them feel involved, independent, and competent Mastery: Develops self-esteem and positive identity in children We believe that every child deserves a positive experience in our programs, and that by following these principles and guidelines we can help children develop competence, confidence, cooperation, creativity and commitment. Parks and Recreation Ontario Parks and Recreation Ontario 4

Your Child s Instructor Staff Qualifications Qualified aquatic instructors are an essential component in ensuring a safe learning environment for your child.

5 Your Child s Instructor Staff Qualifications Qualified aquatic instructors are an essential component in ensuring a safe learning environment for your child. You can take comfort in knowing that all aquatic staff go through a screening process including an interview, both wet and dry, reference check, and a criminal reference check. In addition our Instructor/Lifeguards are certified by the Lifesaving Society and hold their Swim & Lifesaving Instructors Certification, National Lifeguard Award, Standard First Aid and CPR certifications. As part of the Town of Halton Hills commitment to HIGH FIVE s Quality Assurance Process, all our staff are certified in HIGH FIVE s Principles of Healthy Child Development This provincial training program focuses on understanding children and how to create programs that support their development. Senior Staff Contacts If you have any concerns or suggestions regarding the Swim for Life program, or any other department program or service, please contact the Assistant Coordinator on duty at the pool. They will be wearing a Town of Halton Hills golf shirt. Should you need to speak to someone other than an Assistant Coordinator, please feel free to call the Aquatics Coordinator at , ext Swim for Life Program We re dedicated to creating Water Smart children and making learning fun! Cannonballs, handstands and somersaults are not only allowed, but encouraged as part of the learning process! A complete and seamless program from Parent & Tot through to aquatic leadership, the Swim for Life program focuses on stroke and skill development. All levels include Water Smart activities and accident prevention. 5

6 Swimming has its Benefits! The benefits of swimming are many-from physical fitness, to selfconfidence, to just plain fun! We believe that the opportunity to enjoy these benefits begins with high quality swimming lessons for all ages. All our classes have been designed by the Lifesaving Society with this in mind. Supervision Ratios (Participant:Instructor) Program Ratio Program Ratio Parent & Tot 1, 2, 3 12:1 Swimmer 2, 2B, 3 6:1 Preschool A, B, C, D, E 4:1 Swimmer 4, 5 8:1 Swimmer 1 5:1 Swimmer 6, 7, 8, 9 10:1 Ratios are supplemented with support from our volunteers, all of whom have been through an interview and training process which includes a criminal reference screening. Private & Semi-Private Lessons Private and Semi-Private lessons are available for your convenience. These lessons are specifically designed to assist swimmers of all levels in aquatic skill development. The semiprivate program has a very small ratio of 2 participants to 1 Instructor. Family Swimming Lessons Parents/Caregivers and children participate together! Get your children into swimming lessons all at the same time. Parents can learn to swim alongside their children or can work with the instructor to help their children progress more quickly. One adult from the family pre-registers for the whole group. Aquatic staff will call you to confirm numbers. Maximum 2 adults/3 children. Please check the Community Activity & Service Guide for details or Town of Halton Hills website at for programming schedules. Halton Hills Lifeguard Club Along with traditional stroke correction, learn skills like swimming under gates, towing a manikin, starts, turns, relays and races! Fair play and healthy competition helps swimmers be their best. A great option for children who are looking for an alternative to traditional swimming lessons. Inclement Weather We re changing the way residents learn about facility closures and recreation program cancellations. Recreation & Parks staff will no 6

7 longer be calling individual program participants to notify them of a cancellation due to weather. If you are scheduled to attend a recreation program and the weather conditions are poor, please use one of the following methods to confirm the program is still running: 1. Call x Follow the Town on 3. Visit the homepage at Parents as Partners Parent Involvement Parents play an essential role in ensuring their child enjoys a positive aquatic experience. In the Parent & Tot 1, 2 and 3 programs (4 months to 3 years) a parent or guardian must accompany their tot in the water. This is also an option for Preschool A. However, after the 3rd class we recommend that the parent/guardian encourage the child to become comfortable in the water with the instructor, so that requirements for Preschool A can be met. Due to ratio restrictions we ask that only one parent/ guardian accompany their infant/toddler in the water. Parents/ guardians can take turns if they both wish to participate. Complimentary Swim Pass Every swimming lesson participant registered in levels ranging from Preschool A to Swimmer 6 will receive a complimentary swim pass at the end of the session. The complimentary swim pass entitles that child to free entry at any Town of Halton Hills recreational swim (admittance policy and fees for additional swimmers still apply. See for details). We hope this complimentary pass will encourage families to participate in a recreational swim, where they can help their child practice a new skill, have some fun and engage in unstructured play in the pool. Families may choose to commemorate their childs experience by purchasing a keep-sake badge. Badges are available for purchase at all pool locations. 7

8 Lost and Found Please put your child s name on all of their belongings to assist us in finding the rightful owner of lost articles. Each pool has a lost and found box. Please check the box regularly. At the Gellert Pool see the Customer Service Representative at the front desk. Lost articles are cleared out once a month, more frequently in the summer, and donated to charity. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please leave valuable items at home or use the coin operated lockers. Ensuring Positive Experiences Evaluation of your Child Please remember children develop at different rates and have different comfort levels in the water. Swimming requires substantial coordination, endurance and motor control. As they develop, each child will progress through the Swim for Life program at their own pace. It is not uncommon for a child to need to repeat a level in order to complete all required skills to the standards. Celebrating your child s achievements, no matter how small, will help to ensure that they enjoy the life-long benefits of swimming. Your child is evaluated continuously throughout the session. Each level has a list of requirements or must sees that must be met in order to advance to the next level. These must sees are posted on the pool deck for your information, and include level requirements for both endurance and technique. You will receive an evaluation of your child s progress at mid session. At the last lesson, you will receive a final report card with recommendations to repeat the same level or to progress to the next one. We will now be handing out reports cards at the beginning of your final lesson. If you have any questions about your child s progress, feel free to follow up with the instructor at the end of the lessons. Answering Your Questions Q What should we bring to lessons? A Bathing suit, towel. Optional: t-shirt for Parent & Tot and Preschool Levels 8

9 Q Does my child have to be toilet-trained? A Please encourage your child to visit the bathroom before their lesson. Children not yet toilet trained must wear a swim diaper. For your convenience swim diapers can be purchased at all town pools. Q What changerooms are available? A Children under the age of six may accompany their parent/ guardian into any changeroom regardless of gender. Children over the age of six are required to change in the changeroom that matches their lived gender indentity. A family changeroom is provided at the Gellert Community Centre. Please change in the privacy cubicles only and shower in your bathing suit. If special changing requirements are needed, please contact the aquatic staff for assistance. Q What happens the first day? A It is important to know what level your child is registered in for the first day of lessons. Swimming levels are posted on the pool walls to direct you to the correct area on deck. Please walk your child to their swimming level and have your child sit on the deck. Your child s instructor will check the class list. If you are not on the class list you will need to speak to the Assistant Coordinator. After the first class, participants will always meet their instructor in this area. Q Where can I watch my child s lesson? A Families are welcome to observe their children s lessons from the deck. All children who are not participating must be within arms reach of their parent or guardian at all times. We appreciate that you remove your shoes to help maintain a clean and healthy environment. Stroller wheels should be cleaned prior to going on deck with the spray water bottles found by the coatracks in the changerooms. Q Should I feed my child before lessons? A We ask that your child not eat 1 hour prior to their lesson. This helps to avoid pool closures due to foulings. Q What should I do if my child is sick? A For the health of all patrons, we recommend that your child stays at home when ill. Please consult your Doctor for chicken pox protocol. Q Are there any rules or information I should be aware of? A Each facility has a parent/guardian information board which includes information on your child s instructor, our program and associated policies. Please check periodically for updates. 9

10 Tot Dock Information Tot Docks (water platforms) are used in our municipality as in many others, for instructional programs. Given the depth of the Acton pool and the objectives of our program, these tot docks have been effective in maximizing the time preschool participants are in the water as they allow preschoolers to stand with their heads clear of the water. As well, children stay warmer and become more accustomed to the water by experiencing buoyancy. This assists in building a stronger relationship between participants and the instructor. Despite being an approved and useful instructional tool, tot docks do present challenges and require staff to be extremely cautious and attentive to all children standing on them. Occasionally, children step off the edge of the tot dock. If this occurs, do not be alarmed. The instructor is trained and will assist your child back onto the tot dock. Pool Regulations 1. Please remove street shoes and boots before entering the pool area. Only aquatic footwear is permitted on the deck. 2. Please shower before entering the pool. 3. Please walk. Floors and deck are slippery when wet. 4. Food and gum are not permitted in the pool area. 5. Please avoid bringing nut products into town facilities. Medical Conditions The health and safety of your child is our number one priority. Please notify aquatic staff of any medical condition(s) that your child may have by checking off the special needs/medical conditions box on your registration form. Our staff will contact you to learn about the specific medical needs of your child. If you did not indicate medical information at the time of registration or if there is a change in medical condition, please notify the Instructor and/or Assistant Coordinator on the first lesson so we can update and maintain accurate participant records. Your co-operation is appreciated. 10

11 Special Needs The Town welcomes participants with disabilities or special needs that require interpretive services, mobility and adaptive equipment and individualized support. This includes anyone with a physical or developmental disability either congenital or resulting from an injury or illness. An aquatic environment is ideal for many people who have physical challenges. The buoyancy of the water allows a freedom of movement which is unknown to them on land. We want to ensure that participating in our programs is a positive and safe experience for all children. If your child has a special need or health condition, we ask for your help in letting us know well before the program start date. Please check the special needs or health condition box on the participant information section of your manual or online registration form, which will prompt us to contact you for more information. However, we recommend you contact the Aquatics Coordinator at your earliest convenience at , ext to discuss how best we can provide the support your child needs. Rec Partner Pass If you have a temporary or permanent disability and would find it helpful to bring a partner along to assist you participating, the REC PARTNER PASS may be just what you are looking for. A REC PARTNER PASS provides free admission to an individual providing support to a participant with a disability who is attending a Recreation & Parks registered program, drop-in program or activity at the Active Living Centres. Volunteers One of the roles of Recreation and Parks is to create opportunities for and encourage residents to contribute to their community through volunteering. Our volunteers not only help the participants in our programs, they also gain a great sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment. For more information on volunteering please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at ext

12 Recreational Swimming If you would like your child to practice their strokes and skills, or just have fun in the water, come out to a recreational swim. See the Town of Halton Hills Community Activity and Service Guide for swim times. You can also visit the Town s website at or call the pools directly at the numbers below. Recreational Swimming Locations Gellert Community Centre Acton Lion s Indoor Pool Eight Line 69 Acton Blvd. (8th Line & 10 Sideroad) (McKenzie-Smith Bennett School) Georgetown Acton Splash Pads Gellert Community Centre Superior Glove Eighth Line Prospect Park Georgetown 30 Park Avenue, Acton Dominion Gardens Park Splash Pad Info: Maple Avenue Information: x2275 Georgetown Maintenance: x2603 Swimming Admission Policy Please note: All Town of Halton Hills pools adhere to our Pool Admittance Policy. Swimmers who do not meet the requirements for the admittance policy will not be granted admission to the pool. Famil y, Youth and 50+ swims have additional requirements. STOP! CAUTION OK! Children age 6 and under may not be admitted to the swimming pool unless they are accompanied by a guardian 14 years of age or older. The guardian is responsible for their direct supervision and must be in the water and able to assist immediately. Maximum 2 children per guardian. Children age 7-10 who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a guardian, 14 years of age or older. The guardian is responsible for their direct supervision and must be in the ater w and able to assist immediately. Maximum 2 children per guardian. Children 7-10 may be admitted to the pool unsupervised only if they can pass the facility swim test. Swimming with a buddy is strongly recommended. Age 6 and under Age 14+ Age 7-10 non-swimmers within arms reach within arms reach Age 11+ comfortable swimmer Age 14+ Family Swim: all minors must be directly sup ervised by a guardian 18+ years of age. Guardians must be in the wate r. Children age 11 years or older may be admitted to the pool area unsupervised. Swimming with a buddy is strongly recommended. Family Swim: all minors must be directly sup ervised by a guardian 18+ years of age. Guardians must be in the wat er. Swim Testing:The facility swim test is a minimum of two widths of the swimming pool. Swimmer may also be required to tread water for up to 1 minute. Individuals with serious medical conditions or developmental disabilities are at a greater risk while swimming. They should be accompanied at all times by another individual with knowledge of their condition, who can render immediate assistance ded. if nee AGES 0-6 AGES 7-10 AGES

13 Passes Invest in a Healthy Lifestyle Recreational Swim Passes are available for Youth, Adult and Group. The Sweat & Swim Pass also offers a combination of recreational swimming and daytime aqua fitness options for adults. Swim and Skate with ONE PASS! Buy a recreational swimming pass and receive free admission to recreational skating! Gellert Community Centre Swim Pass: Valid for all recreational swims at all Town pools and Parent & Tot Skating, Parent & Tot Shinny, Adult Skating and Public Skating at all Town Arenas Acton Lion s Indoor Pool Swim Pass: Valid for all recreational swims at Acton Indoor Pool and Parent & Tot Skating, Parent & Tot Shinny, Adult Skating and Public Skating at Acton Arena and Community Centre. Please refer to Town of Halton Hills Community Activity and Service Guide or the Town s website at for current pass fees. For more information on selecting the right pass for you, call , x2275. Birthday Pool Parties! Rent a pool for any occasion with qualified lifeguards as part of the rental! To book your rental today, or for more information about our Birthday Party Packages, call , x7722. Recreational Swimming admission requirements apply. Pass It On! Youth and Adult Admission Swim Passes for Gellert! Adult Admission Swim Passes for Acton! With Admission Passes you can leave your cash at home! Great for birthday party favours, prizes, company incentives and more! 13

14 Phototaking Restrictions The use of any device capable of rendering a photographic image is prohibited in showers, change rooms, washrooms and adjoining areas. Photos are a great way to capture and remember your child s experience at the pool. In order to respect the privacy of all users, please ensure that you do not capture any other children in your image. Please speak to the Assistant Coordinator on duty if you require assistance identifying an appropriate time to take the photo. Oh No...not Again! Help us reduce the number of pool closures that happen because of pool foulings: a) Participants who are not toilet-trained must wear swim diapers. A washroom is No regular diapers, please! located on the b) Try to avoid feeding your children within the hour before swimming activities. pool deck at the Gellert for your But if absolutely necessary, please convenience. only feed them a very light snack. c) Do not allow your child to swim if they are ill. Employment Opportunities Are you looking for a part time job? Recreation & Parks is always looking for qualified aquatic staff to work in the daytime or evenings and weekends as swimming instructors and lifeguards. We can help you get the required aquatic training or update your past certifications. Required Lifeguard qualifications include a current NL and Standard First Aid. Instructors must possess a current Lifesaving Swim and Lifesaving Instructors certificates and Standard First Aid. Check the Community Activity and Service Guide or the Town website at ca for all aquatic training information. 14

15 Backyard Pool Owners Please remember to check fencing regularly and keep it in good repair. Does your fence have a self closing, self latching gate in proper working order as required by the Town of Halton Hills By-Law ? Keep safety/emergency equipment close at hand at all times. Keep your pool gate locked when not in use! The Lifesaving Society, Ontario Branch, has produced a video for Backyard Pool Owners. Topics covered are rescue equipment, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), chemical storage, gates and fencing. This video is available to sign out free of charge. Please call , ext

16 Working Together...Working for You! For additional information please feel free to call the Program Information Hotline at , ext or visit

SWIMMING LESSONS. Pool Locations AQUATICS. Inclement Weather: Facility Closures and Program

SWIMMING LESSONS. Pool Locations AQUATICS. Inclement Weather: Facility Closures and Program @_haltonhills SWIMMING LESSONS Town of Halton Hills welcomes you to Swim for Life, a Lifesaving Society program with a focus on stroke and skill development. A Water Smart message is also an important